AP plans water grid

Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday said the state government will be launching a water grid project on a fast track with an estimated cost of Rs 8,000 crore to provide safe drinking water in areas vulnerable to kidney disorders like Srikakulam and Prakasam districts.

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​Amaravati: Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday said the state government will be launching a water grid project on a fast track with an estimated cost of Rs 8,000 crore to provide safe drinking water in areas vulnerable to kidney disorders like Srikakulam and Prakasam districts.

Lokesh was addressing a media conference after launching a state-level call centre named Jalavahini along with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the latter’s residence at Undavalli.

The project aims to install water plants and supply safe water to the needy, Lokesh said, adding that the grid would become a reality within a year.

The call centre bears the toll free number-- 1800 425 1899. The people facing drinking water problem in villages may complain to the call centres by dialling the toll free number. The officials would respond to the complaints instantly and attend the problems, Lokesh said.

The grid, Lokesh said, intends to address drinking water problem by establishing water plants mainly in areas prone to kidney disorders like Srikakulam and Prakasam districts on a pilot basis.

The call centre has been launched to solve the drinking water scarcity immediately. A similar facility at the district level has already come into existence. As many as 2576 complaints have been registered so far at the call centres across the state.

The minister said 1800 of them were being addressed. The minister said the officials were tasked to address the grievances relating to water shortage and quality within a specified timeline.